Faith is such an important part of our Christian life. The scriptures tell us whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23), and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). In the midst of trials our faith in God is tested, and it is this God-ordained tested process which brings us to spiritual maturity. In the midst of suffering our lack of faith is often revealed to us, and we like the disciples can plead according to the will of God, "Increase our faith." All people will suffer in this life, but only those who choose to trust God despite pain will discover the joy of the LORD is their strength.
Faith is also critical for us to receive the wisdom and benefits God provides through His Word. Consider the passage in Hebrews 4:1-2: "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." The children of Israel heard the word of God from Moses in the desert after He delivered them from bondage in Egypt. Though the Word of God never lacks power or sharpness, the unbelief in the hearts of the Hebrews rendered it unprofitable. Unless the Word of God is mixed with faith, it provides no practical benefit.
Reading the Bible is never an end in itself. If we refuse to believe or obey what God says to us, we will remain without hope in this world - despite our knowledge or grasp of doctrine. If we believe what we read, our lives will be lived in obedience to the scripture. For instance, if you believed your glass was filled with deadly poison, you would not drink it unless you wanted to die! Reading God's Word without putting it into practice - without it being mixed with faith (and faith without works is dead) - it dulls us to the truth of God's message. We can be steeped in truth without it ever permeating our souls, and this should be most concerning.
You've probably heard before what Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-28: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." We all want to be the wise man, right? The reality is, we aren't always who we want to be. God made us to walk, but with walking comes the real potential of falling. And fall we do. And stay down and not know how to get back up again.
Thank the LORD that when we place our faith in Christ He is a Deliverer and Restorer. A professional baseball player who is out of form does not need a new revelation or superhuman abilities: he needs to go back to the basics and practice the fundamentals. In our Christian walk it is much the same. In our struggles, we don't need to search the world for new revelations. God reveals Himself when we seek Him! We should ask ourselves, am I trusting God? Is faith being mixed with the truth of Bible I am reading? Is this fact evident through me putting God's Word into practice? Praise God for His Word, and for sending the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weakness.
Faith is also critical for us to receive the wisdom and benefits God provides through His Word. Consider the passage in Hebrews 4:1-2: "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." The children of Israel heard the word of God from Moses in the desert after He delivered them from bondage in Egypt. Though the Word of God never lacks power or sharpness, the unbelief in the hearts of the Hebrews rendered it unprofitable. Unless the Word of God is mixed with faith, it provides no practical benefit.
Reading the Bible is never an end in itself. If we refuse to believe or obey what God says to us, we will remain without hope in this world - despite our knowledge or grasp of doctrine. If we believe what we read, our lives will be lived in obedience to the scripture. For instance, if you believed your glass was filled with deadly poison, you would not drink it unless you wanted to die! Reading God's Word without putting it into practice - without it being mixed with faith (and faith without works is dead) - it dulls us to the truth of God's message. We can be steeped in truth without it ever permeating our souls, and this should be most concerning.
You've probably heard before what Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-28: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." We all want to be the wise man, right? The reality is, we aren't always who we want to be. God made us to walk, but with walking comes the real potential of falling. And fall we do. And stay down and not know how to get back up again.
Thank the LORD that when we place our faith in Christ He is a Deliverer and Restorer. A professional baseball player who is out of form does not need a new revelation or superhuman abilities: he needs to go back to the basics and practice the fundamentals. In our Christian walk it is much the same. In our struggles, we don't need to search the world for new revelations. God reveals Himself when we seek Him! We should ask ourselves, am I trusting God? Is faith being mixed with the truth of Bible I am reading? Is this fact evident through me putting God's Word into practice? Praise God for His Word, and for sending the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weakness.
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